The film, Well-Founded Fear, documents the lives of about six applicants seeking political asylum in the United States. These people have waited years to obtain an appointment at the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), which will determine their fate. They come from around the world in hopes that America will accept them and their families. An immigration officer meets with each individual for approximately an hour, conducting an interview to decide if the individual has an established "well-founded fear" in their country. If they do, the officer will approve their asylum application. If a person's case doubtful, the officer will refer them to an immigration judge for a final decision. More often than not, this referral does not go in favor of the applicant.
While viewing this film, I couldn't help feeling sympathy toward the immigration officers. They became desensitized from hearing so many similar stories, and even the most gruesome stories seemed like nothing to them. Undoubtedly, the applicants' stories were heartwarming and some were depressing, but the amount of stress that is put upon these officers every single day is incredible. The newer workers in the office found it extremely difficult to stay sane while working there. For someone to have to personally deny people freedom in the United States, seemed mentally and emotionally draining. One woman officer admitted to approving applications even if she wasn't sure they were being truthful with her. Her morals may have gotten in the way of her work, but at the end of the day, she confessed feeling better about herself when she approved more applications.
Of course, this system is flawed, by human instinct, character judgment, intuitions and the nature of emotions. The immigration officers are only human, and because each case is so different, there is no computer program or calculations one can do to decide to approve or deny an application. Some of the officers just considered it a part of their job to be the detectives and make a decision, however it seemed like most everyone was affected by the applicant stories in one way, whether the officers were shaken up or distraught or feeling sentimental. As an American citizen, I know that I would feel nothing but guilt or regret my decisions. A job like an immigration officer has a huge impact on ones' beliefs, morals and values. Certainly, this causes psychological stress and pain to many of the officers, as it would any other human being.
While viewing this film, I couldn't help feeling sympathy toward the immigration officers. They became desensitized from hearing so many similar stories, and even the most gruesome stories seemed like nothing to them. Undoubtedly, the applicants' stories were heartwarming and some were depressing, but the amount of stress that is put upon these officers every single day is incredible. The newer workers in the office found it extremely difficult to stay sane while working there. For someone to have to personally deny people freedom in the United States, seemed mentally and emotionally draining. One woman officer admitted to approving applications even if she wasn't sure they were being truthful with her. Her morals may have gotten in the way of her work, but at the end of the day, she confessed feeling better about herself when she approved more applications.
Of course, this system is flawed, by human instinct, character judgment, intuitions and the nature of emotions. The immigration officers are only human, and because each case is so different, there is no computer program or calculations one can do to decide to approve or deny an application. Some of the officers just considered it a part of their job to be the detectives and make a decision, however it seemed like most everyone was affected by the applicant stories in one way, whether the officers were shaken up or distraught or feeling sentimental. As an American citizen, I know that I would feel nothing but guilt or regret my decisions. A job like an immigration officer has a huge impact on ones' beliefs, morals and values. Certainly, this causes psychological stress and pain to many of the officers, as it would any other human being.